How to move to a Cloud Solution

There are many ways to migrate from an old solution environment and move to the cloud, but not every method is user friendly, affordable, safe or suited to your business needs.

Businesses face several key challenges in migrating data from one solution to the other with the key imperatives being the need to minimize downtime, overcome technical challenges & operational issues and minimize the loss of data in migration.

The key options to move to a cloud solution are:

Re-installation and re-architecture:
With a complete re-architecture, which you can think of as “tearing down the house and building a new one” metaphorically speaking. This option is best suited for small applications serving niche business domains.
Pros: No tools needed, complete customization
Cons: Downtime issues, labor intensive, risky with chances of software bugs, glitches, errors; expensive

Cloud Orchestration:
For example, when you build a new house, a contractor follows a blueprint of a design. While it is the contractor’s job to ensure that the construction is proper, it’s the project manager’s job to make sure that it all comes together by being in charge of actual tasks and coordination as per the blueprint. In this method, the business acts as the project manager and controls the “contractor” metaphorically speaking. The end result is a solution that arranges information and workflows the way you want it.
Pros: Quick to deploy, free tools available, customizable, built-in automation
Cons: Lots of scripting, requires ongoing IT resources, downtime, damage control can be costly

Emulation:
Emulation in the cloud will make your data and applications look and work the same way as they did in your solution that you are used to. Since it is not a native cloud application, you might not get the same performance and administrative ease of use as earlier. It is best suited for cloud testing of applications that may finally be deployed on-premise and not recommended for those looking to leverage the advantage of the cloud.
Pros: Flexible, low cost, quick to deploy
Cons: Downtime, vendor lock-in, performance downturn possibilities, doesn’t take advantage of full cloud capabilities

Lift & Shift:
With this approach, you shift to the cloud, either on a file-level basis or by transferring a volume of data and delivering in increments. In the lift and shift migration approach, you don’t have to worry about re-architecting your application or re-installing software. It is best suited for SMBs that can accommodate a day or two of downtime and a detailed planning and training process
Pros: Low cost, easy to automate, free tools available, no messy coding or software
Cons: Downtime, labor intensive, incredibly limited number of conversion tools

Live Migration:
Live migration is built on the principle that a system can be cloned through block-level data replication. It creates a perfect replica of your entire workload or application in the cloud, complete with all the latest storage and configuration data in real time. It is best for the larger players and those with deeper pockets.
Pros: No manual work, no data loss, no impact on users, no downtime
Cons: Limited market options, this space is still evolving, not suited for the smaller players, very expensive

CHOOSING HOW TO MOVE TO THE CLOUD

For companies that can afford labor-intensive cloud migration strategies, consider re-installation and re-architecture or cloud orchestration. Those looking for options that are low cost and can afford to be locked into a cloud provider, should consider emulation or lift and shift.
Essentially, an effective approach could be a combination of a few of these approaches in varying degrees with one being the major one depending on relevance and feasibility for the nature of the current business needs.

OUR VALUE PROPOSITION

We at Versa Cloud ERP have created a multi award winning, secure, cloud based comprehensive ERP solution that is e-commerce and mobility ready. The Versa Small Business Cloud ERP system dba VersAccounts is accessible anytime, and on any smart mobile device. It provides support for e-Commerce and Multi-Channel Retail includes integration with 3rd party e-commerce platforms as well as POS systems.

It addresses key issues of the small business domain in the most effective manner possible. It is affordable and targeted towards SMB’s and is backed by a promise of dedicated support. It is being used by clients in diverse verticals and could help you redefine the way you operate and grow your business.

Our solution is designed for fast growing businesses, between $1-$50M in annual revenue, looking to upgrade business management solutions like entry-level accounting products or mid-tier legacy on-premise ERP systems or even those looking at comprehensive and affordable ERP solutions.

Built from the ground up on the latest cloud and mobile technology, the VersAccounts Cloud ERP system allows businesses to automate and optimize their operations across multiple companies, countries, and currencies with one integrated ERP system.

We will help you in a structured manner to migrate your data seamlessly from Epicor, Infor, QuickBooks, Microsoft Dynamics, MYOB, Sage, SAP Business One etc when you make the decision.